GRAEME Souness is ready to go back into the transfer market ahead of the big kick-off despite watching his side move their pre-season preparations up another notch at Vale Park last night.

A goal apiece for strikers Matt Jansen and Nathan Blake comfortably killed off Brian Horton's Second Division battlers as Rovers got back to winning ways following on from a couple of disappointing results on their recent tour of Germany.

But Ewood chief Souness isn't about to rest on his laurels and admits he still needs a couple of new faces in order to be fully equipped to cope with the rigours of the Premiership.

"Ideally, I'd like to bring in some more new players before the start of the season because there's certain areas in which we're not strong enough and that's why we are looking at certain things," admitted Souness.

"I want to be as fair as I can to the existing squad but at the same time you don't want to get to Christmas and then suddenly start to panic and have to start going out and spending money because you're adrift at the bottom of the league.

"So it's a difficult one because, in an ideal world, you wouldn't buy anyone, you'd keep your money and be totally loyal to the players you'vegot.

"But I've got to try and stand back from that.

"You can go out and sign as many players as you want but it's all about getting the ones that you want at the right money.

"So there's a possibility of more new arrivals but I wouldn't hold your breath."

With the new season just three weeks away, Rovers have still got some way to go before they reach peak fitness.

But there were signs here that they are heading in the right direction with Jansen in particular looking sharper than most.

The 23-year-old striker has slotted straight back into the groove following on from his heroics last season with five goals in his three friendly appearances so far.

And on current form, he will surely be the first name on Souness's team sheet for the trip to Derby on August 18.

Midfielder David Dunn also strengthened his claims for a starting place at Pride Park with another commanding performance alongside skipper Garry Flitcroft in the absence of new signing Tugay.

And rejuvenated winger Keith Gillespie appears to be growing in confidence with every game as he looks to rediscover the kind of form which once made him one of the most feared wingers in the country during his early days at Newcastle.

New-boy Corrado Grabbi also made his full debut last night following his £6.75 million move from Italian Serie B side Ternana.

But it could be a couple of weeks yet before Rovers fans see the best of the 25-year-old striker as he is currently behind the rest of the squad in terms of match fitness following an eventful start to his Ewood career.

"It's been difficult for Ciccio because he had a bit of a foot injury for part of pre-season and then on Sunday his wife gave birth to their baby so his head has, obviously, been filled with other things," said Souness.

Scenting the chance of an upset, it was Port Vale who made the brighter start as Stephen McPhee sprang Rovers' offside trap in the opening 10 minutes but Dave Brammer fired over with the goal at his mercy.

Then substitute Ashley Dodd prised open the visitors' defence again with a beautifully weighted through ball for Marc Bridge-Wilkinson but the pint-sized wideman blew his chance of glory by dragging his shot wide with only Brad Friedel to beat.

As the half wore on, however, Rovers began to step things up as the lively Gillespie cut in dangerously from the right but keeper Mark Goodlad just managed to cut out his cross with Grabbi waiting to pounce.

Rovers finally broke the deadlock, though, in the 37th minute when Craig Short picked out Jansen's darting run with a clever through ball on the left and the former England Under 21 international steadied himself before sliding a left-foot finish past Goodlad into the far corner.

After that, Rovers carved out several golden chances to double their advantage as Goodlad denied both Craig Hignett and Flitcroft either side of half-time.

And Jansen rattled the bar with a textbook volley after the Vale defence failed to deal with a Dunn corner.

As the game went flat in the final half hour, Souness made a flurry of substitutions to try and pep things up.

But Rovers had to wait until the 90th minute to finally kill Vale off when substitute Nathan Blake cut in from the right and weaved past a couple of defenders before stroking a low-shot into the bottom right-hand corner.

ROVERS

(4-4-2)

Friedel

Curtis, Berg, Short, Bjornebye

Gillespie, Flitcroft, Dunn, Hignett

Jansen, Grabbi

Subs: Blake (for Grabbi, 60), Bent (for Jansen, 60), McAteer (for Dunn, 60),

Taylor (for Short, 67). Not used: Filan, Hughes

PORT VALE

Goodlad, Carragher, Brammer, Walsh, Burton, Cummins, Brooker,

McPhee, Bridge-Wilkinson, Ingram, Gibson. Subs: Dodd (for Ingram, 17).